Thanks for the tag, because the subject is very interesting, even though I don't trust a conservative like Kirchik any further than I could throw him.

But I will say on the subject of nothing burgers, that I left a national security career in the 1980s because I failed a polygraph test in which FBI agents grilled me about being gay.

I was an Air Force intelligence officer at the time, and my chain of command didn't take immediate action, but it was a sword of damocles hanging over my head. I thought long and hard and decided I had to leave the Air Force instead of staying in long enough to qualify for a civilian position somewhere.

I think I was very fortunate to have done so, because once Don't Ask Don't Tell took effect, I probably would have been toast.

I was much happier leaving of my own free will than being shown the door.